Clamp



Mlch L F. TURZICKY CLAMP Filed April 5, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 'l F.TuRzlcKY 234,028

CLAMP Filed April 5, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE CLAlWP of Illinois Application April 5, 1940,Serial No. 327,945

14 Claims.

This invention relates to clamps, and with regard to certain morespecific features to guy clamps.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision ofa safe, compact and easily operable guy clamp in which a plurality ofgripping portions is provided to eiect maximum grip with minimumclamping force applied to a single member; the provision of a guy clampof the class described which substantially makes coaxial the memberswhich it joins; and the provision of a guy clamp of the class describedwhich may be readily carried out in forms which are adaptable to variousrequirel ments of attachment. Other objects will be in part obvious andin part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which 2will be exemplied in the structures hereinafter described, and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated three of variouspossible embodiments of the invention- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sideelevation showing the application to a guy wire of various forms of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of one form of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing another form of theinvention;

Fig. 6 is a right-side elevation of the inner plug only, of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a bottom plan View of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view `similar to Fig. 2, showing another form of theinvention inverted;

Fig. 9 is a right-side elevation of the inner plug part of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an end view of the outer casing of all forms of theinvention;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of the inventionincluding `a ground wire clamp; and,

Fig. 12 is a cross section taken substantially o-n line I2-I2 of Fig.11.

Fig. 10 represents a plan View of the outer casing per se if viewed fromthe top of Fig. 8 or bottom of Figs. 2 and `5, but as applied to Figs. 2and 5 and viewed from the bottom, this casing is turned through 180.

Similar reference characters indicate correspending parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, there is shown at numeral I a polebraced by an anchor rod 3.

At numeral 5 is shown a bracket held in place to the pole by means of a-bolt I. Between the anchor rod and the pole bracket is a guy Wireassembly with the various forms of the invention .applied thereto, byway of example. 5

The three forms of the invention hereinafter to be described will bedesignated as forms A, B and C. All of these forms are indicated on Fig.1.

Form A is detailed in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and the generally applicable Fig.10. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, there is shown at numeral 9 agenerally cylindric outer casing or body which is externally circular,except for `a flat wrench-engaging portion II. The slight taper shown isfor convenience in manufacture. This casing, as indicated vin Fig. 10,has an interior which is generally cylindric as indicated at I2, butwhich has extending into the cylinder I2 a vlarge (or high) wedge-shapedportion or spline I 3. Upon the inner edge of wedge I3 is a groove I5forming a cradle `for reception of the one leg of a looped portion I'Iof a guy I9. The end 2| of the wedge I3 is so positioned that the centerline of the applied guy I9 is positioned approximately upon the centerline of the -cylindric portion IZ.

On the other side of the casing 9 is a similar but smaller wedgeshapedportion 23 which likewise has a groove 25 for the reception of anotherleg part of the loop I'I. This wedge-shaped portion does not extendradially inward so far toward the center line of the casing 9- as doesthe wedge I3. Adjacent to the end of the wedge 23 there lis formed,through the casing 9, a notch 27 of a size which permits `the end 29 ofthe loop I'I to bend sidewise and out of the casing 9 (Fig. 2).

Slidably cooperating internally with the cylinder 9 is an inner,approximately cylindric plug 3I. This plug is threaded at one end asindicated at |33 for the reception of a threaded nut 34 which worksagainst the lower end of the outer casing 9 to draw the plug into thecasing.

The plug 3! includes a deep groove 35 which is shaped to t andaccommodate the deep wedge I3 when the plug 3| is moved axially into thecasing 9. This groove 35 slopes to provide the hollow counterpart of thesolid wedge I3, and ends in an axial relationship with respect to theguy I9 as indicated in Fig. 2.

Opposite the groove 35 in the plug 3| is a second more shallow groove 31which receives the wedge 23.

Both grooves 35 and 31 at their upper ends in Fig. 2 are only about halfasl deep as required by the diameter of the loop I1, as indicated at 55numeral 39, the other halves of the required passages at these pointsbeing indicated at grooves 4I in the casing. Thus, grooves 4I formccntinuatio-ns of grooves I5 and 25. Thus, the sides of the loop II aredirected outward to vis laid against the Wedge" 23.

casing 9 and one lside of the loop I1 is laidthe wedge I3. The otherside of the loop lThe plug 3| is then inserted within the loop and movedaxially into position within the casing 9 with the groove 35 adjacentthe wedge I3 and the groove 31 adjacent the wedge 23.

and permits application of a wrench and drawing up of the nut 34. Thenut 34 reacts against the lower end of the casing 9 to draw the plug 3|into the casing 9. The portions I3 and 23 in grooves 35 and 31respectively function not only as wedges but also as spline connectionswhich permit relative longitudinalmovement and prevent relative rotarymovement as the nut 34 tends to rotate the case 9 on the plug 3|. Thusthey avoid the necessity for the wire I9 resisting a shearing twistduring tightening.

The stub end 29 of the loop I1 is led out through the notch 21 and boundagainst fraying, if desired, as indicated at 43. It will be understoodthat if desired the end 29 of the guy may be brought out through thelower end of the groove 31 and below nut 35.

Application of the A form of the device of Figs. 2, 3 and 4 is shown intwo places in Fig. l wherein the loops I1 loop around suitable eyes inan insulator 45. The loops are connected by the respective clamps of theA form to guy wires I9 as indicated.

In Figs. 5, 6, 1 and 10 is detailed the alternative B form of theinvention, in which like numerals designate like parts so far asapplicable. The difference in this case is that the plug 3| is providedwith an integral extension 41 which forms a fixed eye forvpredeterminately forming and supporting the loop I1. This permits theloop to loe-applied to a bracket such as 5 without wearing the guy wire.In -this case, the grooves 35 and 31 in the plug 3| are simply extendedaround the eye 41 as indicated at 49 in Figs. 6 and '1. Fig. '1 shows togood advantage the appearance from the bottom of the grooves 35 and 31,as applied to all forms of the invention. The practical application ofthe B form of the invention is shown at the upper end of Fig. l, whereinthe rigid eye 41 is supported by the bracket 5.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are shown details of the C form of the invention inwhich also like numerals designate like parts. In this case the casing 9and plug 3l are usually inverted as a whole (not relatively). In'thisform of the invention, the plug 3| is extended (down, if inverted asshown) by means of a solid and more or less cylindric head 5| which hasa threaded socket '53 for receiving a threaded anchor rod 3. The grooves35 and 31 are then continued upwardly as a groove 51 which extendsaround the side of the cylindric extension 5|, that is, around and nottouching the threaded end of the anchor rod 3.

The guy I9 is preferably of the metallic type, that is, a guy wire orcable made up of one or more twisted wires or the like. However, theinvention is applicable in all sizes to guys made of other material,such as rope, solid bendabl'e wires, and the like.

This places some of the threads 33 `clear of the lower end of the casing9 The cylindric form of -the casing 9 and of the plug 3| is notlimiting. since other shapes may be used, such as cones, hexagons andlike tubular forms. The form is preferred, however, which permits freecooperation at any endwise position of the wedges I3 and 23 with therespective grooves 35 and 31 vso as not to interfere with clamping thewire.

The device is very compact and presents no catching portions requiringprotection. It is self-centering and easily drawn up by a single rotaryoperationv on the nut 34.

The diametrically opposed positions of the wedges in the body 9 and thegrooves in the plug 3| cause the action and reaction between these tosupport the plug on the legs ofthe loop of the guy, without the plugbeing unnecessarily forced into direct lateral contact with the body 9.Thus, in connection with any amount of clearance between the plug andthe groove, the plug may move endwise easily without substantialfriction between the plug and the body.

In Figs. .11 and l2 is shown a modification in which like numeralsdesignate like parts. In thisform of the invention, ats 6| are employedon the sides' of the body 9 for the flat sides of a U-bolt B3, whichencircles the body. A cross member 65 is held by nut 61 on the U-boltand has a notch 69 opposite a notch 1| on the body 9 for receiving andclamping a ground wire 13.

The various applications shown in Fig. l are exemplary and others may beused.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many-changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

l. In apparatus of the class described, a guy having looped legs, atubular body, inwardly extending axial wedges from said body upon whichsaid legs are carried, a plug axially movable within the body and loopand containing axial tapered grooves cooperating with said' axial wedgesto hold said legs, said plug being threaded at one end, and a nutengaging the threads on the plug and reacting on the body to draw theplug so as to clamp the legs between the grooves and wedges.

2. A guy clamp for a guy having a loop, said clamp comprising a tubularbody, diametrically opposed axial wedges extending inwardly from saidbody, a plug freely and axially movable within the body and havingdiametrically opposed A axial and tapered-grooves cooperablerespectively with said wedges, said plug being threaded at the endadjacent the deepest portion of said tapered grooves, said loop being atthe opposite end, and a nut engaging the threads of the plug.

3. In apparatus of the class described for a guy having looped legs, asubstantially cylindric and tubular body, diametrically placed wedgesextending inwardly from said body upon which said legs are cradled, oneof which wedges extends substantially to the center line of the body toplace one leg axially where it enters the body, and the wedge extendingin not so far, a substantiallycylindric plug having diametricallyopposed'andihta'pered grooves for engagingsaid legs upon thewedges, oneof said grooves being deeper than the other for engagement with the legon the deep wedge and having an outlet near the center line, said plugbeing threaded at the end adjacent the deepest portions of the Wedges,and a nut engaging the threads of the plug and reacting against the bodyto draw the plug against said legs.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a guy having looped legs, atubular body around said looped legs, inward extending wedges from saidbody upon which said legs are supported, a plug axially movable withinthe body and loop and containing tapered grooves to cooperate with saidwedges to hold said legs and to provide a splined connection with thetubular body, means reacting against the body to draw the plug therein,and a wrench-engaging portion on the body.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a guy having looped legs, atubular body around said looped legs, inward extending wedges from saidbody upon which said legs are supported, a plug v axially movable withinthe body and loop and containing recesses to cooperate with said wedgesto hold said legs and to provide a splned connection with the tubularbody, means reacting against the body to draw the plug therein, and aneye extending from the opposite end of the plug.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a guy having looped legs, atubular body around said looped legs, inward extending wedges from saidbody upon which said legs are supported, a plug axially movable withinthe body and loop and containing recesses to cooperate with said wedgesto hold said legs, means reacting against the body to draw the plugtherein, and an eye extending from the opposite end of the plug andhaving grooved means supporting the loop t predetermine its shape and tosupport it.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a guy having looped legs, atubular body around said looped legs, inward extending wedges from saidbody upon which said legs are supported, a plug axially movable withinthe body and loop and containing recesses to cooperate with said plug tohold said legs, means reacting against the body to draw the plugtherein, and means extending from the opposite end of the loop adaptedfor attachment of an anchor rod or the like and being laterally groovedto support the loop adjacent to the end of said rod.

8. A guy clamp comprising an outer hollow case, an inner plug axiallymovable therein, inner grooved extensions in the case, one of whichaccommodates the leg of a guy loop on the axial center of the case, saidplug having cooperating grooves to effect `clamping engagement upon theguy loop in cooperation with said wedges and providing a splinedconnection between the case and plug, said plug having a length so thatwhen cooperatively engaging the loop it extends from the case, threadson the plug where it extends from the case, a nut on the threads andengageable with the end of the case to forcefully draw the plug into thecase to clamp the guy against both of said wedges, and a notch at theend of the case adjacent to but within the nut to permit exit therefromof the end of the other leg of the guy loop.

9. A guy clamp comprising an outer hollow,

case, an inner plug axially movable therein, inner grooved webextensions in the case, said plug having cooperating grooves to effectclamping engagement upon the legs of a guy loop in cooperation with saidwedges, said plug having a length so that when cooperatively engagingthe loop it extends from the case, threads on the plug where it extendsfrom the case, a nut on the threads and engageable with the end of thecase to forcefully draw the plug into the case to clamp the guy againstboth of said wedges, and rigid means extending from the unthreaded endof the plug adapted physically to support the loop of the guy whichextends from the case, said last-named means comprising an eye having anexterior groove forming an extension from said grooves in the plug.

10. A guy clamp comprising an outer hollow case, an inner plug axiallymovable therein, inner grooved extensions in the case, said plug havingcooperating grooves to effect clamping engagement upon the legs of a guyloop in cooperation with said wedges, said plug having a length so thatwhen cooperatively engaging the loop it extends from the case, threadson the plug where it extends from the case, a nut on the threads andengageable with the end of the case to forcefully draw the plug throughthe case to clamp the guy against both of said Wedges, and meansextending from the unthreaded end of the plug grooved laterally tolaterally support the loop of the guy which extends from the case, saidlast-named means comprising an axially solid extension having a threadedrecess for reception of a threaded rod to place the latter coaxial withrespect to the guy- 11. A guy clamp comprising an elongated body portionhaving on one side a notch for receiving a ground Wire, a U-boltsurrounding said body portion, a clamping member associated with theU-bolt and adapted to be forced against said ground wire adjacent tosaid notch.

l2. A guy clamp comprising an elongated body portion having on one sidea notch .for receiving a ground wire, a U-bolt surrounding said bodyportion, a clamping member associated with the U-bolt and adapted to beforced against said ground wire adjacent to said notch, and at least oneflat portion on the body and a corresponding flat portion on the U-bolt,said at portions being adapted to engage one another to guide theU-bolt.

13. A guy clamp comprising a tubular member, a plug member within thetubular member and shaped for axial movement therein, at least twotapered splines on one of said members and each extending into a taperedgroove in the other of said members, said grooves accommodating thesplines for axial movement without relative rotation, said taperedsplines and grooves having cooperating clamping surfaces for a loopedstrand which is thereby adapted to 4loe held.

14. A guy clamp comprising a tubular member, a plug member within thetubular member and shaped for axial movement therein, wedge-shapedsplines extending inwardly from the tubular member, said plug memberhaving axial grooves receiving said splines for longitudinal movementwithout relative rotation, the grooves having wedge-shaped bottomscooperating with the wedge-shaped splines to clamp a looped strand, saidtubular member having an outlet adjacent to its spline for the end ofthe strand, and a nut threaded to the plug and being rotary against theaxially movable tubular member.

FRANCIS TURZICKY.

